(no subject)
I watched the movie Shut up and Sing yesterday. The documentary about the Dixie Chicks and their...god forbid...public disassociation with Pres. Bush. It angered me, I never liked the Dixie Chicks music, so I didn't pay attention to total barrage they endured. I remember vaguely how out of proportion the whole thing became, but this movie showed first hand how they dealt with it. I have a whole new respect for the "Chicks" after watching it. It made me proud to be a musician. I won't get into politics here as its far too draining. But, living in a red state...with red friends...and very red parents, its frustrating. Supporting the president because the president said so. People our age, in our demographic (white privileged) have no business honestly taking stances with most Republican beliefs. Follow what you will, but while our hearts may be in the right place (making a stance is VERY important) however; it could easily be proven that most of their beliefs are regurgitations of their parents. Their parents live in the world where Social Security, Wal-Mart corp., and Illegal Immigration (doesn't need to be capitalized, but needs to be noticed...) actually affect them directly. We don't. Not yet. Social Security, yes complain about that because it WILL be a big issue. My problem is that it is just fashionable for college students to discuss politics off hand to sound informed, smart. I commend those actually involved, but if you can't honestly trace as to why you support a war or anything why would you? If you are going to support the war, be honest, it wasn't liberation, it was the perpetuation of a world where every American child can go to school (and have the nerve to choose not to) watch three TVs (average household) and surf the web on their own personal computer (2 average). Most even have their own car. This way of life is paid for by the rest of the world. I know this, I have no delusions, but...at least have the balls to stand up and be honest to the people. If they don't want to feel bad about themselves, then maybe they should learn to sacrifice. I say they, but obviously I can't discount myself. I mean...my parents gave me all they could. One good they came of this however, it proved why the Iraqis hated America. Saddam Hussein raised them telling them that America is the reason they were poor, we were the reason they couldn't build schools and that one day they would invade and try to take over. They bought it. Didn't question it, those that did were silenced. Here, people supported the war because Bush and Rumsfeld seemed like bad asses (and you know us, we love bad asses) riding in to pay back someone for their mistake in attacking us. Never mind it wasn't the right people, or country...either time. It was someone they said was involved. So millions blindly began repeating what they were saying, and only as an angry mob could, taking it to the extreme. Sound familiar? Both the US and Iraq were doing the same thing. Propaganda warfare. Soon anyone that spoke out against the war (our supposed god-given right) was silenced. A la Dixie Chicks. Somehow we, the freedom fighters of old, have become the Loyalists. The ignorant masses chanting "long live King George!" It makes me think of the Pilgrims/Puritans. They fled England valiantly to escape religious persecution, though not because they were against religious persecution...as long as it wasn't their religion being persecuted. They killed many a different believers. So now the same is true. Speak out against anyone you wish, condemn any country you wish, but do not question this one. Or millions of psuedo-intellectual teenagers will tell you that maybe you should go to France. Meanwhile no one my age I have ever heard speak for the war could even grasp the concept of real sacrifice. Yet they wish to feel empowered, as they should, our constitution will always protect them, the loyal, from persecution.
Damn...politics always suck me in. If you disagree fine, remember I'm only 21..what could i possibly understand about the "real" world...remember that and you should be able to sleep fine without questioning anything, right?
Damn...politics always suck me in. If you disagree fine, remember I'm only 21..what could i possibly understand about the "real" world...remember that and you should be able to sleep fine without questioning anything, right?